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5
Dec
Beirut is an American band, 
fronted by the high-school drop out Zach Condon, who began his career by recording material in his room with a friend and ventually formed Beirut the band of Eastern European Dance, Western Pop and Balkan folk music into one amazing electronica music. With soothing vocals and a funky beat it difficult not to like them.
Condon is an utterly cool person, dropping out of high school at 16, ebrolling at a communitry college only to drop out at 17 and travelled to Europe where he discovered Balkan folk music. On his return he studied at Uni. of Mew Mexico where he spent part if his childhood and teenage years. Recording in his bedroom he added finishing touches with member of A Hawk and A Hacksaw and formed Beirut.
(Fun fact: Cordon cannot play the guitar but plays ukulele, a past wrist injury means he cannot get his hand around the guitar kneck.)
With a truly unique sound, they never fail to amaze and are a definite Xmas buy for a music enthusiast in that family. Their first album Gulag Orkestar is a force to be reckoned with, in musical terms. Not hitting mainstream success they are definitely a must have for all us indie-cindies.
Beirut – My Night With A Prostitute From Marseille youtube
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Lisa O Piu is the new psychedelic folk band, a collaboration of Swedish songwriter Lisa Isaksson and Roger Wootton (of Comus). With a classical soothing Swedish, voice Lisa calms any listener and the music a mix of guitar synthy sounds all is very Goldfrapp-y. Any fan of Alison Goldfrapp with love the song “The Party” by this band. With spacey multi-tracked vocals and excellent songwriting this music doesn’t truly belong in this decade, the retro album should have been released years ago when people were head over heels for his stuff. So the music is slightly dated, but this psychefolk is on the way back in, to disregard Lisa O Piu would be a big mistake. Although they may never hit it big dedicated music fans should give this band a try. 
and Emmy the Great. Her voice is bird like and her music easy listening. She was formerly with the band Noah and the Whale but left to pursue a solo career, Q Magazine has rated her debut album “Alas I Cannot Swim”, which was released last year, as “astonishly good” with a 4/5 star rating and The Independent gave her 5/5. Only 19 now she has certainly flourished at a young age but her music and lyrics show wit and maturity to be enjoyed by all generations. Alas I Cannot Swim is available in most music stores and online and is a definite buy.
hear the emotion in Wolf’s voice and the music is truly skillful.